I attended so many job interviews, both as an interviewer and interviewee. My past jobs allow me to screen out candidates as the user and interviewing them before passing to the next stage. I think I was so good I can smell any potential candidates (or BS) right away after the interview.
You can quickly notice that they are in the room at this intense because of their cover letter and resume, hands down. I’ve seen so many incompetent people walking away to the job because they can craft their way out of these two stages in the process, as the next stage to the manager and CEO is often customary.
This guide also teaches how to craft your cover letter and resume and match your skillset with the right employer as closely as possible. It’s intended for the best of both worlds. You will have a happier job, and they will know you can do the assigned work and meet their measured key performance.
Contents
What We Will Use Cover Letter For?
It’s originated from the need of the industry to “background check” candidates and if they’re fitted for the job, including the expected salary and expertise to meet the job description, basically a preposition from the jobseeker back then in the ’50s.
In this digital age, the importance still can’t be dismissed and even more true. As a screener, I would background check anything I could find in the cover letter and resume to seek highly matching properties for the job description.
Because to spill out a little secret, it’s not only the job description, but team player as a whole, and even the skillset can be slightly diminished, glossed over if we feel it’s the right candidate, and vice versa. It is where the first level of negotiation happening.
How Can We Create a Good Cover Letter That Stands Out?
Make your cover letter refreshing.
Generally, your cover letter and resume will be seen for around ten seconds, depend on the industry and the number of candidates. Use this time window wisely.
I like to read straight to the resume because it where the meat is and tossed out the cover letter if I don’t have enough time, but I will pick from the cover letter when it’s balanced and needs more consideration later.
So it goes like this, say from the job as the user themselves, they already know what skill sets are needed most, what are good to have, and what are non-essential. Then, I would screen from top to bottom the candidate’s properties matching with the vacant roles with the ten-second rule. I will challenge this in the first interview later and will ask what’s not described there.
So contrary to popular beliefs, to make your cover letter and resume stand out, you don’t have to make it long and wordy. Just make them hit at the right spots. For this, you can do your diligence with the company and the job description.
What I would do if you really want this job so bad (this is also mean you already weed out the bad and hard to reach one):
- Get as much information as possible about the company and the job
- Get “insider contact” like people working there or HR personnel themselves to get even more information
- Design your cover letter stating out their needs and why you fit for the job
- Describe your skill in your resume (soft and hard) that qualifies you
Anatomy of a Good Cover Letter
Based on all the information you can get about the company’s job, you can craft your cover letter. Any decent letter will do, believe me.
To make your life easier, I will show you what I meant by a decent cover letter:
- Section one is your contact information and current date
- After salutation and greeting, state yourself and your achievement and why you wanted the job
- Paragraph two is about the details of the achievement, specific to the job you can tackle, the company pain points
- The last paragraph is your commitment to the job description and the company. If you got the job, what would you contribute?
- The last section is complimentary closing and signature
- Make it all no longer than one page. It would be best to keep concise.
Examples of Cover Letters
For your convenience, I’ve collected good examples of cover letters from various websites and scan them for you can modify in a word processor or Google Docs. You can use them for a range of purposes and industries.
Account Executive Cover Letter Example
October 30, 2013
Lucille Craft
Account Director Joyhut Advertising
1 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10005
Dear Lucille:
I would like to express my interest in Joyhut Advertising and the available Account Executive position described on your agency’s Web site.
After four years at Stanford University, where I majored in English and wrote for the school paper, I leaped into the competitive world of advertising at Olf and Oleman Worldwide in San Francisco. For the past year, I have served a valuable apprenticeship in the advertising industry, working as an assistant account executive on the Harbinger Sporting Goods account.
During my time on the Harbinger account, the company’s advertising spending has increased by $2 million, and I have progressed from having very little client contact to interfacing with the client-side on a regular basis.
Since my introduction to the world of advertising, it has been my goal to work on Madison Avenue. I would very much like to discuss the open position. Thank you for your time spent reading this letter and the enclosed resume. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Bret Orfinan
456 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
Tel: 123-456-7890
E-mail: [email protected]
Banking Professional Cover Letter Example
Craig Finn
2224 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
September 1, 2015
Jane Siberry, Lead Recruiter
Morgan Stanley 440 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60605
Dear Ms. Siberry:
Your firm’s advertisement for a senior financial analyst position (job listing #4810) caught my attention. I believe that my work experience and skill set make me an ideal candidate for the job.
I have 10 years of experience as a financial analyst, including the past seven years at industry leader HSBC Bank USA. My areas of expertise are the traditional and alternative energy sector, and I served as the lead analyst to Siemens on its $250 million acquisition of Prairie Wind Corp. I have a master of business administration in analytical finance from Northwestern University, and I have continued to update my professional skills by earning the Chartered Financial Analyst certification from the CFA Institute. I have enclosed my résumé, which details my qualifications and provides more information on how I might be an asset to Morgan Stanley
I will contact you shortly to see if you have received my application materials and request an interview. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my background might fit your firm’s needs. Thank you.
Sincerely.
Craig Finn2224 West 111th Street Chicago,
IL 60643
Multi-Purpose Cover Letter Example
123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345 • 555-212-1234 • [email protected]
August 17, 2020
Jane SmithDirector, Human Resources Acme Company
123 Business Rd. Business City, CA 54321
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am interested in the author’s assistant position at Acme Company, as advertised on Linkedln. I am currently employed as legislative director for Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, Chairperson of the NYS Assembly. I believe that the skills and experiences I have gained at this position make me an ideal candidate for the job of author’s assistant.
As legislative director, I have developed strong writing and editing skills. For example, one of my main duties is to prepare Assemblywoman Nora Kiel’s personal legislation, which deals with issues related to her position as Senior Member of the NYS Assembly Standing Committee.
This duty requires meticulous writing and editing skills, and an ability to convey complex legal ideas clearly. I have prepared dozens of pieces of legislation and received praise for the clarity of my writing.
I have also gained extensive experience in legal and policy research — fields that you state the author’s assistant must be familiar with. My experience in the NYS Assembly has afforded me the opportunity to become familiar with the consolidated and unconsolidated laws of the State of New York. In particular, through my work with Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, I have become heavily involved in the current welfare and Medicaid reform movement. I am always eager to learn more about state legislation, reading up on these topics on my own time to become more knowledgeable. I would love to bring this passion for policy and law to your company.
I am confident that my experience in the Legislature and my research and writing skills qualify me for consideration. If you would like, I can provide you with current samples of my work. I have also enclosed my resume. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing my qualifications in more detail.
Sincerely,
Joseph Q. Applicant (signature hard copy letter)
Executive Cover Letter Example
Elizabeth Lynette VP, Finance & Operations
To Doris Johnson
Human Resources Manager
Optimal Workforce Inc.
321 Employment Avenue Sydney, Australia
18 December 2020
Dear Ms. Johnson,
As the Vice-President of Finance and Operations at a national food chain, I bring proven success in enhancing productivity and gaining an advantage when it comes to profit margins. My work spans companies and business units at varying stages of growth, from start-up to multinational organizations.
With over 20 years of achieving profitability and long-term growth, I seek to monitor budgets and sales numbers closely to identify areas for improvement. I am known for enhancing performance through technology upgrades, implementing best practices, and improving employee training protocols.
Examples of my achievements include:
– Drove successful launch of start-up organization through contemporary hiring practices, defining product implementation, and developing go-to-market strategies to achieve 50% margins and $15M+ revenue within my first three years.
– Managed daily operations of a $100M+ consumer goods department that introduced a complete line of products to Australia and New Zealand, improving profit margins by 14%.
– Proved a vital team member that conducted a complete leadership reorganization that resulted in a 10% improvement in productivity within the sales department and a 15% improvement within the technical team.
As a skilled professional with a CPA degree and a background in analyzing and improving sales numbers, I am confident I will prove an asset to your company and respectfully submit my application for your review. I would like to request a meeting to discuss how I can help meet your goals. I am available at your convenience and hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Lynette
Internship Cover Letter Example
142 Your Address Blvd,
City Name, CA
[Today’s Date]
[341 Company Address]
[Company City, State xxxxx]
[(xxx)xxx-xxxx]
[hiring.manage[@gmail.com]
Dear M. /M /Ms. (Manager’s Name),
I’m writing to you regarding the marketing role that opened up recently. I came across the job description on [Website Name] and was delighted to find that my academic accomplishments meet all of the necessary requirements. I am seeking a challenging but rewarding internship, which is why I was drawn to this exciting opportunity.
As a junior marketing student at the University of Georgia, I have acquired skills in advertising, PR, product development, and market research. Currently, I hold a 3.8 GPA and have been on the Dean’s List every semester.
While in the College of Business, I have strategically focused my coursework in the following areas:
- Marketing Analytics
- Marketing Management
- Survey Research
- Strategic Internet Marketing
- Integrated Marketing Communications
Using my knowledge of the above, I designed a marketing campaign foot a local pet grooming business that yielded the highest return on investment based on our given budget. The campaign was so well received that I was awarded third place in UGA’s business plan competition.
I would be delighted to have an opportunity to personally interview with you.
Please accept the enclosed resume and feel free to contact too at your earliest convenience.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Teacher Cover Letter Example
142 Your Address Blvd,
City Name, CA XXxXX
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[341 Company Address]
[Palo Alto, CA 94301]
[(xxx) xxx-xxxx]
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms.]
[Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing in regards to the [Position] opening advertised on the San Antonio Independent School District job board. With over six years of experience teaching first and fifth-grade students in New Braunfels and San Antonio, I have become an expert at commanding student attention and managing both small and large classrooms.
I believe these skills, combined with my ability to foster constructive learning environments, make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Some highlights from my current and past teaching experiences include:
- Developing TEKS-compatible health and nutrition activities to promote better food and exercise habits
- Establishing an open-door policy for 6:30-8:00 am parent/teacher conferences
- Planning and executing a weekly after-school art class open to all grade 1-3 students
Beyond my teaching experience and classroom management skills, I believe my enthusiasm makes too a perfect fit to serve as [Position]. Having had a lifelong passion for education, I am excited by the prospect of working alongside your staff and administrators to help more San Antonio students grow and flourish in their elementary years.
Attached is my resume for further reference. I would enjoy discussing this position with you further and am happy to provide any additional information if needed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Nursing Cover Letter Example
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[341 Company Address]
(Company City, State )
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms.] [Managers Name],
I’m pleased to write you today regarding my application for the nursing position advertised on [Website Name]. I believe my qualifications and experience make me an ideal candidate for this job.
I have a Master’s Degree in Nursing and 5+ years of proven experience effectively and efficiently managing both patients and staff. I am an extremely organized, calm, and patient professional with excellent healthcare skills. I have a passion for providing quality care to patients and the necessary leadership skills to inspire other staff members to provide above standard service levels.
In my present role as a registered nurse at Virginia Veteran’s Hospital, I am tasked with evaluating the medical conditions of up to 20 patients daily and developing and directing a rotational system to manage the care of patients and coordinate workforce management. During this time, I’ve been recognized as a dedicated, ambitious, and reliable person who has the ability to work without supervision.
In addition, my three years of experience as an Assistant Nurse at The Carolinas Medical Center helped me realize and implement clinical duties I learned during the course of my education. While employed there, I was commended for proficiently handling difficult situations with patients and their family members.
I believe a relationship with your company would be mutually beneficial, as I am seeking a challenging work environment where I can exercise my skills to the fullest extent. I look forward to hearing from you and would love to explain my skills further during an interview.
Please find a detailed account of my work history in the attached resume.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
As you can see from previous examples, there are no excessive wording, only concise structure, and clear meaning. We hope this cover letter example can help you land your dream job.
